Open Garden: Wayval Views

Wayval Views is in the heart of the Lockyer Valley, approximately half-way between Toowoomba and Ipswich.

Wayval Views garden.

Wayval Views 77 Blenheim Rd, Blenheim QLD 4341 Owners: Wayne and Val Lawson Open this weekend 10am to 4.30pm. $7 entry, under 18s free

Describe your garden: We’re in the heart of the Lockyer Valley, approximately half-way between Toowoomba and Ipswich. The garden is 3-4 acres (1.2-1.6ha), developed gradually since we built our house on the hill in 2007. It was previously grazing land with only one tree. Hedges of murraya and lillypilly give some formality but we planted it so something is flowering most of the year. Features include slab huts, a stone-walled fern house, arbours, gazebos, rustic sculpture, a waterfall and rocky watercourse, bridges, pond and timber boardwalk, cactus garden, orchard and vegetable garden.

What makes it special: It has 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges and valleys. We love gardening and created many of the features reusing materials from the property. An old piggery became a 12m-long arbour and Wayne used its solid timber gates to make the boardwalk around the pond, building a steel frame underneath. As a retired farmer, there’s not much he can’t do. We attempt to achieve new projects each year and keep moving the fences out to extend the garden.

Biggest challenges: Abnormal weather conditions such as the flood rains of 2011 and 2013. Our shallow soil on clay and sandstone has needed improving.

Greatest pleasure: Sitting on either our front or back patios and overlooking the garden’s displays of colour and textures, with the surrounding views.

What’s in flower: Our hedge and archway of purple allamanda (Cryptostegia grandiflora) at the entrance looks wonderful, as does the yellow allamanda arbour. Hibiscus, bougainvilleas and annuals are in flower.

Extras: Morning teas and lunches, plant sales and craft stalls.

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FLORA

THE Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, is hosting from March 1-9 the touring exhibition of the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition, following its viewing at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in England. Showcasing the winners and a selection of finalists, it is a glorious collection of images, from wild landscapes to super macro shots of flowers in exquisite detail. Australian photographer Debbie Hartley won the Beauty of Plants category for her image Dogwood Cover (pictured), taken at Canberra’s Floriade. Other successful Australian entrants among the 20,000 from more than 30 countries were Claire Takacs, Alan McAlpine, Dianne English and Helen McFadden. Competition details at igpoty.com. Exhibition details at rbgsyd.gov.au or [phone].

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TWIG

Q: I’d love an avocado tree. Is Adelaide’s climate suitable and what variety is best?

SARAH MORRISON, ADELAIDE

A: Your local specialist, Perry’s Fruit and Nut Nursery at McLaren Flat, has been trialling many avocado varieties for 35 years and says for an Adelaide backyard tree you can’t beat ‘Reed’. It’s reliably self-pollinating, and has a creamy flavour. Dwarf ‘Wurtz’ is their second choice. Grafted trees are now available, ready for the ideal planting time in March and April.

Q: In the dry weather, my backyard has many redback spiders. I’ve used surface sprays but are there any herbs that keep them away?

SALLY BIGMORE, NARRE WARREN, VICTORIA

A: Redbacks live in concealed, warm, dry spots; plants won’t keep them away. They seldom leave their nests and bite only in self-defence. Reduce nesting spots such as old cans, empty pots and brick stacks. Squash spiders and egg sacs to reduce populations. Surface sprays will also kill many beneficial organisms.

Q: My tarragon flourished in a pot initially but when I went to harvest leaves, it was dried sticks. Does it die back or should I buy a new one?

HELEN SCHULZ, EAST MAITLAND, NSW

A: True French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a perennial with thin stems, reaching 30-90cm high. It dies down over winter and can be difficult to grow. Good drainage is essential. To maintain vigour, divide and replant the root mass every few years in spring.

Q: What could I grow to trail over the sides of a pot, in mainly shade with a little afternoon sun?

NELL ANDERSON-SMITH, BUDERIM, QUEENSLAND

Spanish shawl (Heterocentron elegans) has bold, scarlet flowers and red-tinged stems. Vinca major ‘Variegata’ is pretty but tough, with long trails (note the species is weedy in southern Australia), or look for Vinca minor. Lamium maculatum has silver-patterned leaves and either white or pink blooms, or use native violet (Viola hederacea).

www.helenyoung.com.au